Pittsburgh council passes landlord shaming bill

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh City Council has passed a bill to shame problem landlords by putting signs in front of the 10 worst-maintained properties in the city — though the only councilman opposing the measure predicts it will backfire.

Councilman Ricky Burgess, who represents a predominantly black district, says neighbors of targeted buildings will be harmed because the signs will send the message, “Don’t come here. Don’t invest here.”

The bill, passed by a veto-proof 7-1 majority, empowers city building inspectors to identify the worst properties based on housing court convictions and citations. Those properties would then get a sign listing the owner’s name, address and phone so neighbors could complain directly to the landlords.

An amendment calls for the sign to be posted in front of the landlord’s home, instead, if they live in the city.